Can-testing apparatus.



W. H. NORDHAUS. CAN TESTING APPARATUS. ArPLloATIoN rILnn 14u25, 1905.

- Patented 001;.19,19o9.

- 4 SHEETS-SHEET 1.

W. H. NQRDHAUS. A GAN TESTING APPARATUS.

lAPPLwA'TIoN FILED un 25. 1905.

Patented 0m19.190s.

4 SHEETS-SHEET 2.

. Kaz/6723579.'

W.` n. NoBDHAUs. OAN'I'ESTING APPARATUS. .APPLIOATION PILED KAY 25, 1905.

937,540, 9 l Patented Oct. 19, 1909.

4 SHEETS-SHEET 3.

if ff l i i I l M if l s I w i I i l l [i l 0l O' '0 i j l a U j@ Z Wenig/3 W. H.-NORDHAUS. GAN TESTING APPARATUS. APPLmATIoN FILED MAY 2s, 1905.

937,540. Patented ocn.19,19o9.

hay@ ma .arias rivrnnfr einen WILLIAM H. NORDHAUS, OF CHICAGO. ILLINOIS. ASSIGNOR OF CNL-HALF '.lO AMERI- CAN KEY CAN COMPANY, 0F CHICAGO, ILLINOIS, A CORPORATIONy OF NEW JERSEY, AND ONE-FOURTH TO ALOIS WEIDENBAUER, OF CHICAGO, ILLINOIS.

cAN-TEsTING APPARATUS. Q

Specication of Letters latent.

ran-atea oet. ie, ieee.

Application filed May 25, 1905. Serial No. 262,140.

To all whom yfit 'may concern:

Be it known that I, WILLIAM'H; Noni)- ii.\rs a citizen of the United States, residingat Chicago, county of Cook, State of illinois, have invented a certain new and useful Improvement in Can-Testing Apparatus, and deelare'the following to be a full, clear, and exact description of the same, such as will enable others skilled in the art to which it pertains to make and use the same, reference being had to the accompanying drawings, which form a part of this specification. i

My invention relates in general to can testing machines, and more particularly to machines for automatically separating imperfect from perfect cans.

The primary object of my invention is to provide l an improved machine for testing cans, in which an electrically actuated mechanisin will be automatically controlled yto separate leaky cans from tight ones.

A further object. of my invention is to provide an improved machine'for automatically testing cans without wetting them, thereby obviatiiig the necessity of drying the tested cans.

.\` still further object of my invention is` to provide an improved machine for automatically receiving sheet metal cans and separating the imperfect from the perfectcans, which will be (comparatively simple in construction and etticient in operation; y

The embodiment of vmy invention herein disclosed may be generally described as comprising a horizontal rotary carrier, chai`nbei-s mounted upon the periphery of said carrier. cach chamber having tWo compartments.ineans for automatically clamping a can againsty each chamber with the open end of the can coinnnmiaiting with one of the compartments of the chamber, means for automatically admittingr equal pressure to the comlmrtincnts of each chamber ata predetermined poiiit. in its movement with the carrier. means actuated by a difference in pressure between the compartments of each chamber for controlling an electric circuit, means actuated by the electric-circuit of eaehcliambcr for discharging the can if imperfect'. at a predetermined point, and nie detail view. V

4saine scale as F 1g. 3. Fig. a central secangleto I,the planeof Fig. y zsiinilar to Fig. 5, showing a inod1tication:

chanical means for automatically discharging a perfect can at a dierent predetermined oint in the movement of the chamber wit the carrier.

My invention will be more fullyr described hereinafter with reference to the accompanying drawings in which the saine is illustrated as embodied in several convenient and practical forms, and 'in which- Figure 1, is a sectional view on line 1 1, Fig. 2, parts being shown in elevation. Fig. Q. a plan View. Fig. 3. an enlarged Fig. 4. a detail view on the tional view through one of the chambers. showing a can in engagement therewith. Fig. 6. a sectional view of a portion of the chamber'and can through a plane at right Fig. 7. a view and Fig. 8. a' View similar to ltig. still another inodificz'ition.` y

Similar reference characters are used to designate similar parts inthe several gurcs of the drawings.

`Reference letter indicates a pedestal provided with a flange u around its base. adapted to bc secured to a floor or other support.

indicates a horizontal geur wheel, supported upon the top of thc pedestal which meshes with a pinion c fixed to the upper end of a vertical shaft C?. 'lhe shaft. (l: is supported at its lower. end iii a bearing u.'

5. showin g' `and adjacent its upper end r`by abeariiig u `extending laterally from a bracket A2, the

latter being interposed between the pedestal and the gear wheel C. bevel gear wheel c is fixed upon the shaft t and meshes with a bevel gear c. tixed iipoii a horizontal shaft C, the. latter being suitably joiiriialcd in supports e* and c". Mounted upon thc shaft C are belt pulleys 'and C, one of which is fixed to and the. other loose upon the shaft. lt is to be. understood. however` that any other suitable means may be, provided for imparting the rotary motion to the gear wheel C.-

Moiintcd above the gear wheel and sccuied thereto. isa carrier comprising a huh l from which radiates arms R. carrying at their outer ends a ring b. Any suitable means maybe provided for rigidly connect ing the gear wheel C to the hub B, such for instance', as a shaft C keyed to the gear wheel and hub, as indicated at c. The shaft C also extends downwardly and is rotatively supported in the pedestal A, thereby serving to rotatively mount the gear Wheel above the pedestal.

Supported upon the ring b of the carrier at the ends of the arms B are chambers E, and as such chambers and the mechanism cooperating therewith are identical, the description of one will disclose the construction and operationl of all of them.

Referring more particularly to Figs. and 6, it will be seen that the chamber E is divided into two separate compartments by a partition c. One compartment is closed by the end cap E2, While the other compartment is closed by an end cap E', having a screw threaded opening 'extending therethrough. A shortl tube F engages' the open ing in the cap E and extends through a yielding disk, such as rubber f, a ring j" being provided on the outer end of the pipe F to retain the cushion against the exterior of the cap E. A hole extends through the partition e near the bottom thereof, which communicates With an 'upwardly projecting tube H -Wit/hin one compartment of the chamber and with an elbow coupling la? within the Vother compartment. The upper end of the elbow h2 communicates through an interposed glass tube Kwith the interior chamber L, the latter having an opening Z through the top thereof. Any suitable means may be provided for securing the chamber L above the elbow, such for `instance as rods c which also serve to retain the tube K clamped between the elbow and chamber' L. The rods are insulated from the elbow. Within the tube H', elbow k2, and glass tube K, is mercury or some equivalent tiuid which is a good conductor ot electricity; A; conductor L extends from clamp nuts Zat the upper end of the chamber L to clamp nutslz, on a binding postL2 extending through the wall of the chamber. A lead L3 extends from clamp nuts'l, von the outer end of the binding post L2 and is connected to a contact L* carried by but insulated from the ring b immediately beneath the chamber. i

IA can G is retained against the cushion f ofeach chamber with the hole g in Vcommunication with the pipe F. Any suitable means may be provided for clamping the can against the cushion, such for instance as a disk F supported by a cross-head D' from which rods cl2' extend through guide eyes c2, e2, at each side of the chamber E to a cross-head D located adjacent the inner end of the chamber. The crosshead D is pivotally connected to a link senseo d', the opposite end of which is pivotally connected to an arm D rigidly secured to the upper end of a stub shaft Z1', the latter being journaled in the arm B. The lower end of the stub shaft has rigidly secured thereto a crank arm d, such crank arm together withl the stub sha't't and arm l) constituting a bell-crank lever.

'Beneath the arms B of the carrier. is a table S, which may be conveniently supported by brackets s extending from the pedestal A. Secured to the upper surface of the table S is a cam S projecting into the plane of the arm d and adapted to be engaged thereby to clamp the cam against the cushion'of .the chamber. A second cam S is supported upon Ythe table S also in the plane of the crank al to oscillate the latter and release the cam from engagement with the chamber. S3 indicates a movable cam also supported by the table S at a point in advance of the cam S2 when the carrier rotates in the direction of the hands of a watch. A spring s normally swings the cam lS3 into4 the path of movement of the crank arml d but permits the cam to yield Without oscillating the lever d, unless locked in the path of the arm by the vfollowing mechanism: A solenoid ll is supported beneath the table S adjacent the outer end of the cam S3 and is provided with a plunger u pivotally connected to a lever U', the opposite end of the latter being fulcrumed upon a bracket u depending from the table. Located intermediate of the solenoid and bracket u is a hollow guide V Within which is movably supported a stop V carried by a rod o pivotally connected to the lever U intermediate of its ends. The upper end of the guide V is `located immediately back of the outer end of the cam S3 as indicated in Fig. Q.

Supported beneath the table S adjacent the solenoid U'is aframe comprising'rods T, T, united at their lower ends by a yoke t. Guided by the yoke t is a vertical sleeve T2, made of insulating material Within which extends a rod 2f The upper end of the rod t2 projects above the table S and carries a shoe T4 which is adapted to be en aged by a contact L, carried by but insu ated as shown in Zt, from the ring b be neath each chamber E. A spring 'l3 surrounds the sleeve T2 and normally projects the same upwardly through engagement at its lower end with the yoke f and at its upper end with a collar I fixed upon the sleeve. A lead f5 extends from clamp nuls on the lower end ofthe rod t: to the winding of the solenoid. The winding ot the solenoid is connected by a lead with a grounded battery T5` or other source of electricity.

Secured concentrically above the hub' l of the carrier is a post t) ai the upper cud chamber as the carrier is'rotated.

of which is formed a chamber O with whic-h communicates a conduit P for supplying compressed air.- Any suitable means may be provided for securing the post O to the hub B, such for instance as screws passing through a flange 0 around the bottom of the post. The lower end of the conduit I may be conveniently supported in a bracket P', carried by an arm p which is supported upon a bar R, the ends of the latter being mounted upon brackets r' and r2. Stand? ards R and R2 support the outer ends of the bracket r' and r2 as clearly lshown in Figs. l and Q. As t-he condnitPl is stationary while the chamber O rotates with the carrier, a swivel connection is provided between the conduit and chamber with which the hole o' in the chamber communicates. `A pipe M extends radially yfrom and conimunicates with the chamber O', such a pipe heilig located above each arm B of the carrier, and communicating at its outer end Athrough a coupling m with a valve casing M, the latter being mounted upon the corresponding chamber E and communicating through ports m' and m2 with both compartments therein. Located within the valve casing M is a two-way valve N having a passage n which is adapted to place Athe coupling m in communication with the compartments at either side of the partition e in the chamber. Projecting upwardly from the stem of the valve N is a pin n', while a t similar pinn2 extends downwardly from the valve stem. The bracket r is provided with a depending en d located in the pathof movement of the pin n', while a vsimilar depending end on r2 extends intothe path of movement of the pin n.2'.

The operationof my invention is as follows: The sheet metal cans whichy are to be tested, are placed in a chute G', the lower end of which terminates above the space between the cushion f anddisk F of each A belt leading from a source of `power communicates motion to the shaft C3 through engagement with the Iixed pulley thereon. The rotation of the shaft C3 1s impartedto the vertical shaft C2 through the meshed beveled gears c and c2. The carrier B is rotated by the shaft C2 through the medium ot the pinion c' and gear wheel. C. The carrier is rotated toward the right in Figs. 1 and 2, and as each chamber E passes beneath the end of the chute nGf', a can G is received in position to be clamped against the cushion f, when the4 arm (l engages the cam S', thereby oscillating` the arm D Iand through the link d drawingthe disk 5F tightly against the outer end of the can. The. inclination of the cam S3 is such that as each arm 1 .passes from engagement therewith. the link al alineswith the arm D, thereby locking the can securely against the cushion and placing the interior thereof in communication through the tube l1", with the adjacent compartment of the chamber E. As each chamber is carried beneath the arm r-, the pin n is engaged and oscillated a distance sutlicient to turn the valve M into position to connect the pipe M' with both ot' the compartments of the chamber. Compressed air-thelr Hows into both compartments, creating an equal pressure therein. A further movement of the chamber with the carrier causes the pin ln2 to engage the end of the bracket r2 and to be oseillated thereby a distance suliicient .to turn the valve N into the position shown in LFigv. in which communication with the compartments of-'the chamber is cut o tf.

It the can contains a leak, either through a detect in the tinplate or in the soldered joints, the pressure from the compartment communicating therewith escapes, thereby lowering the pressure in such compartment below that in the other compartment of the chamber. A, difference of pressure in the compartments results in the column of mercury being forcedl upwardly withinv the chamberV L thereby, when the chamber reaches la point abovethe shoe T4 closing the following circuit, the tube H which is connected to ground through the machine,.the mercury, chamber L, lead L', binding post L2, lead L3, contact L, shoe T, .rod t2, lead t, winding-of the solenoid U, battery T? to ground. The solenoid U is consequently energized andthe plunger u drawn upwardly within the saine, thereby forcing the stop V u wardly back ofv the outer end of the cam g3, sothat the latter cannot be swung when engaged by the arm d. The bell lcrank lever is consequently oscillated, thereby removing the disk F away from the outer end of the can, and permit- 4ting the latter to fall' into the chute G2 or other receptacle. 4

' It the can is perfect, then `the pressure between the two compartments of thechamber remains constant andthe circuit is not closed, owing to ythe mercury terminating Within the glass tube K below the chamber L which is inslllatedfrom the elbow 7a2 owing to theinsulation around the rods 7.'.

When the crank-arm d engages the cam S, v

it is, therefore, swung from the position shown in dotted lines in Fi 2 to that shown in full lines,.permitt1n the bell crank lever: to pass without re easing the can. When, however, the crank arm d engages the fixed cam' S3, the can is released and falls within a hopper G3. or other receptacle.

. In Fi 7,' I have illustrated a modified means o closing the circuit for energizing the solenoid U when the can is defective. Within the chamber L is a Boat ll', havin a valve w -at the lupper end thereof adapter tact .fc3 and closes the circuit.

to seat against and close the opening l lead-` ing from the interior of the chamber L. The pipe H is omitted and in lieu ofmercury acidulated water V or other Huid which is a conductor of electricity is employed. .The greater pressure in the compartment above the fluid when a leaky can reduces the pressure in the adjacent compartment, forces the fluid upwardly within the chamber L, thereby closing the circuit and also when sufficient fluid is forced within the chamber L closing the loutlet Z by elevating the float W to such a position that thevalve u thereon seats against the inner end of the outlet.

The float serves to prevent the escape of the fluid from the chamber L when there is a great difference in the pressure of the two compartments.d By using acidulated water or other fluid of less specific gravityy than mercury, a. more sensitive circuit Icloser results.

In Fig. 8, I have illustrated still another modification in which the chamber is formed in two portions X2 and X3, between which is clamped a diaphragm X. A post e is carried by the diaphragm X and is pivoted to a lever X', the latter being: fulcrumed at m. Located in the path of movement of' the end of the lever X is-a contact- .r3 insulated from the chamber and connected to the lead L3. In this modification of my invention a reduction of pressure at'one side of the diaphragm X due to a leaky can results in the diaphragm being deflected, thereby oscillating the lever X so that it engages the con- From the foregoing description it will be observed rthat I have invented an improved machine for automatically testing cans and separating the imperfect cans from the perfeet ones, in which a defect-ive can results in a circuit being closed through an electrically actuated device which effects the discharge of animperfect can from'the machine at a predetermined point, while a perfect can is permitted to be carried to another predetermined point.

Havin now fully described my invention, what I c aim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent is:

l. ln a can testing machine, the combination of means for supporting a can, of mechanism for' actuating said supporting means to release the can, an actuator for said mechanism, and an electromagnetic governing system for said actuator under the control of a can on said supporting means and constructed and arranged to alter its condition accordingas the can is perfect or. defective.

2. lIn a can testing machine, the combination with 'means for supporting a can, of an electric circuit, a controller for said circuit governed by said can and arranged to alter the condition of the circuit according as the can is perfect or defective, and electrically actuatey means in said circuit for controlling the means for supporting the can.

3. In a can testing machine, the combination with a carrier, of means for detachably supporting a can upon said carrier, means for detaching perfect cans from said carrier at a predetermined point in its travel, and electrically controlled means for detaching a defective can from said carrier at a different predetermined point in its travel.

4. In a can testing machine, the combination with a rotary carrier, of means for detachably supporting a can upon said carrier, mechanical means' for detaching a perfect can from said carrier at a predetermined point in its travel, electrically controlled means for detaching a defective can from 'said carrier at a different predetermined point in its travel, and a circuit controller automatically actuated by a defective can for governing the operation of said electrically controlled means.

5.111 a can testing machine, the combination with a carrier, of a chamber mounted on said carrier, means for detachably supporting a can upon said carrier with its interior m communication with said chamber, means for producing a predetermined ressure within said chamber, andelectrical y actuated means controlled by a change in the pressure in said chamber for detaching a defective can from said carrier.

(3. In a can testing machine, the combination with a zarrier, of a chamber mounted upon said carrier, means for detachably supporting a can upon said carrier with its interior in communication with said chamber, means for producing a predetermined' pressure within said chamber, electrically actuated means controlled by a change in the pressure in said chamber for detaching a defective can from said carrier at a predetermined point in its travel, and mechanical means fo' automatically detaching a perfect can from said carrier at a farther predetermined point in its travel.

7. ln a can testing machine, the combination with a carrier, of a chamber having two compartments therein mounted upon said carrier, means for detachably supporting a can upon said carrier with lts interior in communication with one compartment of said chamber, means for producing an equal predetermined pressure in both compartments of said chamber, and electrically actuated means controlled by a difference iu pressure in said compartment for detaching a defective can from said carrier.

8. In a can testing machine, the combination with a carrier, of a chamber mounted upon said carrier and having two compartments therein, `means for detachably supporting a can upon said carrier with its interior in communication with one compartmentf ofsaid chamber, means for prov ducing an equal pressure Withinboth compartments of said chamber, electrically actuated means for detaching a defective can from said carrier, a circuit for said electrically actuated means, and a controller fory said circuit operated by a diierence in pressure in said compartments.

9. In a can testing machine, the combination with a carrier, of means for detachably supporting a can on said carrier, means located at a predetermined point in the travel of said carrierffor detaching a can therefrom, an electrically actuated device.

is leaky,

' 10. In a can testing machine, the combination with a rotary carrler, of means for detachably supporting a can on said carrier, automatic electrically controlled means for releasing a leaky can from the carrier at a predetermined point in its travel, and auto-v matic mechanical means located at a farther point in the travelof the carrier for releasing aperfect can.

11. In a rotary carrier, ,the` combination with a chamber mounted thereon, of means for detachably supporting a can upon -said carrier with its interior 1n communlcation With said chamber, means for creating a` pressure 1n said chamber, a

cation 1n the presenceof two wltnesses.

predetermined yielding cam point in the tachlng a can ing the yielding of said cam,

located at a predetermined therefrom, a stop for preventa solenoid for actuating said stop, a circuit for said solentravel of said carrier lfor .de-

oid, and a controller for said circuit actuated by a change in the pressure in said chamber.

12. In a rotary carrier, the combination with a chamber having -two compartments mounted upon said carrier, of means for de,-

tachably supportinga-.can upon said 'carrier with its 1nter1or 1n communlcatlon with one compartment of said chamber, means for creating the same pressurein the compartments of said chamber, a yielding cam at a predetermined lpoint in the travel of saidA carrier for detaching a can therefrom, a

,stop-for preventing the yieldingof said cam',

a magnet for actuating said stop, a circuit 'for said magnet, and a controller foi` said circuit actuated by a difference in the pressure. in said compartments. A l

13. In a rotary carrier, the combination witha plurality of chambers mounted there! y on, means for successively detachably supporting` cans upon said carrierfwith the in- :terior of each can in communication with a chamber, means for successively creating a pressure in said chambers, a yielding cam located at a predetermined point in the travel of said carrier for successively detaching the cans therefrom, a stop for pre# venting the yieldingof said fcam, a magnet for actuating said sto ,a circuit for said magnet, and a contro ler for said circuit carried byv each'chamber and actuated by a variance of pressure in 4said chamber.

In' testimony whereof, I sign this specili- W'ILLIAM H. NORDHAUS. Witnesses: f

GEO. L. WILKINSON, H. B. LEHMAN. 

